Compact cooking tool apparatus

ABSTRACT

A compact cooking tool apparatus, comprises a handle having a first end and a second end. The handle is movable between an open position and a closed position. At least one cooking tool is adapted to extend from an end of the handle. The cooking tool is movably fixed to the handle. The handle is adapted to receive the cooking tool therein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to copending U.S. provisionalapplication entitled, “Compact Cooking Tool Apparatus”,” having ser. No.60/311,489, filed Aug. 10, 2001, which is entirely incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to cooking tools. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a compact cooking toolapparatus.

[0004] 2. Background

[0005] Cooking generally requires the use of various utensils forhandling and cooking the food as well as cleaning the apparatus used tocook the food. While grilling is no exception, grilling commonly usesthe same four to six utensils, regardless of whether the grill is beingused to cook meats or vegetables. Grilling is not only as widespread andpopular as any other form of cooking, it has become very versatile.Grills can be heated by gas, charcoal, or electricity and can be usedindoors or outdoors. Grills can also be compact and portable, allowingthem to be taken along when travelling, camping, tailgating, or thelike. Regardless of how or where the food is grilled, the selected heatsource for the grill, or with which heat source the user grills, morethan likely the user will need a plurality of utensils to handle andcook the food and to care for the grill. These utensils can include, forexample, a spatula to flip or turn the food product; tongs to handle thefood, such as for removal or placement of the food products onto thegrill; a fork for manipulating the food product; a brush for brushing onbarbecue sauce, or the like; and a scraper or brush for cleaning residueoff the grill before and after cooking. It is desirable that the toolsused while grilling include a somewhat elongated handle such that theuser can keep a reasonable distance from the heat while working with thefood or cleaning the cooking surface. These tools are awkward and spaceconsuming to store and transport. As such, grilling requires the care,maintenance and keeping track of a variety of tools and utensils thatare usually relatively large and unwieldy. When using a portable grill,the need for a plurality of tools results in an excess of rather awkwardtools and utensils to transport with the grill.

[0006] Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry toaddress the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a compactcooking tool apparatus. Briefly described, in architecture, oneembodiment of the apparatus can be implemented as follows. A compactcooking tool apparatus comprises a handle having a first end and asecond end. The handle is movable between an open position and a closedposition. At least one cooking tool is adapted to extend from an end ofthe handle. The cooking tool is movably fixed to the handle. The handleis adapted to receive the cooking tool therein.

[0008] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Many aspects of the invention can be better understood withreference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

[0010]FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of thecompact cooking tool apparatus of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment ofthe compact cooking tool apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of aspatula head of the compact cooking tool apparatus illustrated in FIG.1.

[0013]FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of aspatula head of the compact cooking tool apparatus illustrated in FIG.1.

[0014]FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of thecompact cooking tool apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0015]FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of thecompact cooking tool apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0016]FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of thecompact cooking tool apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of thecompact cooking tool apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] As disclosed herein, embodiments of the compact cooking toolapparatus 10 are adapted to manipulate food. Referring first to FIG. 1,generally, the compact cooking tool apparatus 10 comprises a handle 12and at least one cooking tool 14, 14′ connected thereto and adapted toextend therefrom and, alternatively, be disposed therein.

[0019] The handle 12 comprises a first handle portion 16 and a secondhandle portion 18. The first handle portion 16 is defined by a firstproximal end 15 and a first distal end 17. Similarly, the second handleportion 18 is defined by a second proximal end 21 and a second distalend 23. The first handle portion 16 is hingedly connected toward thefirst proximal end 15 to the second proximal end 21 of the second handleportion 18.

[0020] More specifically, and with continued reference to FIG. 1, firsthandle portion 16 includes a cooking tool 14 adapted to extend from thefirst distal end 17. In one embodiment, the cooking tool 14 comprises aspatula head 26 and a spatula head extension 28. The spatula head 26 isdisposed on the spatula head extension 28. The spatula head extension 28is movably fixed to the first handle portion 16 such that the spatulahead 26 and the spatula head extension 28 can be disposed within thefirst handle portion 16. For example, the spatula head extension 28 canbe slidably fixed to the first handle portion 16 such that the spatulahead 26 and the spatula head extension 28 can be slid in direction Ainto the first handle portion 16 for storage or when not in use.

[0021] Similarly, the second handle portion 18 includes an additionalcooking tool 14′ adapted to extend from the second distal end 23 of thesecond handle portion 18. In one embodiment, the cooking tool 14′comprises a fork head 36 and a fork head extension 38. The fork head 36is disposed on the fork head extension 38. The fork head extension 38 ismovably fixed to the second handle portion 18 such that the fork head 36and the fork head extension 38 can be disposed within the second handleportion 18. For example, the fork head extension 36 can be slidablyfixed to the second handle portion 18 such that the fork head 36 and thefork head extension 38 can be slid in direction B into the second handleportion 18 for storage or when not in use.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 2, the first handle portion 16 and thesecond handle portion 18, illustrated in FIG. 1, both comprise a cookingtool latch 40. The cooking tool latch 40 releasably fixes the cookingtool 14, 14′ in an extended position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.The cooking tool latch 40 can comprise any suitable locking means knownto one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the cooking tool latch40 can be adapted to engage a portion of the cooking tool 14, 14′ whenthe cooking tool 14, 14′ is in a fully extended position. Upondepressing the latch 40, a portion of the latch 40 disengages a portionof the cooking tool 14, 14′ such that the cooking tool 14, 14′ can be atleast partially retracted and disposed in at least a portion of thehandle 12. In another embodiment, the cooking tool latch 40 canreleasably fix the cooking tool 14, 14′ in position as retracted intothe handle 12. In another embodiment, the cooking tool latch 40 can actto releasably fix the cooking tool 14, 14′ in the retracted and extendedposition while allowing the cooking tool 14, 14′ to be moved between anextended position and a retracted position.

[0023] The compact cooking tool apparatus 10 can also comprise a handlerelease 42. As illustrated and discussed above, the handle 12 is formedof a first handle portion 16 and a second handle portion 18 connectedtogether at a hinge 20. The handle 12 can be folded at the hinge 20 to apartially closed position 52 (see FIG. 4) such that the first handleportion 16 and the second handle portion 18 fold toward each other andthe cooking tools 14, 14′ extend in a substantially similar direction.The handle release 42 releasably locks the handle 12 in an open position50. The handle release 42 can comprise any suitable release means knownto one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the handle release 42can be adapted to engage a portion of the handle 12 when the handle 12is in the open position 50. In one embodiment, upon depressing therelease 42, a portion of the release 42 disengages a portion of thehandle 12 such that the handle 12 can be moved into the partially closedposition 52.

[0024] Referring next to FIGS. 3 and 3A, an embodiment of the spatulahead 26 is shown. The spatula head 26 can be collapsed to reduce widthsuch that the spatula head 26 can be slidably moved into the handle 12along with the spatula head extension 28. In one embodiment, illustratedin FIG. 3, the spatula head 26 comprises a center beam 60 extending awayfrom the spatula head extension 28. The center beam 60 is pivotallyfixed to the spatula head extension 28 at the spatula hinge 25. A pairof support beams 62 are disposed at each end of the center beam 60 andsubstantially perpendicularly thereto. The center beam 60 is fixed toeach support beam 62 at approximately the center of the support beams62. Side beams 64, arranged substantially parallel to the center beam60, span between the support beams 62 pivotally engaging the supportbeams 62 at points along the length thereof. As illustrated, a pair ofside beams 64 are disposed on either side of the center beam 60;however, it should be understood that any suitable number of side beams64 can be included without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention.

[0025] The side beams 64 are pivotally fixed to the support beams 62 atbeam hinges 66. In one embodiment, each beam hinge 66 comprises a pin(not shown) inserted though a pair of aligned holes (not shown). Onehole (not shown) being disposed toward an end of the side beam 64 andthe other hole (not shown) being disposed in the support beam 62.

[0026] The support beams 62 comprise a pair of support beam portions 68being hingedly connected together at a support beam hinge 70. Thesupport beam hinge 70 is adapted to allow the support beam 62 to foldbetween an open position, where the length of the support beam 62 fullyexpands from the center beam 60, and a closed position, where thesupport beam portions 68 expand substantially along the center beam 60.

[0027] Width of the spatula head 26 is decreased by moving the supportbeams 62 into a closed position, as described above and illustrated inFIG. 3A. As the support beam portions 68 are moved about the supportbeam hinge 70 from an open position to a closed position, the side beams64 pivot about the beam hinges 66. The side beams 64 move back andlaterally inward toward the center beam 60 until the side beams 64 sitsubstantially flush together and with the center beam 60.

[0028] The spatula head 26 is preferably hingedly fixed to the spatulahead extension 28 by a spatula hinge 25. The spatula hinge 25 allows thespatula head 26 to be adapted between two positions. In a firstposition, the plane of the spatula head 26 is disposed at an angle withrespect to the spatula head extension 28. It is preferable that theangle between the spatula head 26 and the spatula head extension 28 isconducive to manipulating food product on a grill or other cookingsurface. In a second position, the plane of the spatula head 26 issubstantially aligned with the spatula head extension 28. It ispreferable that the substantial alignment of the spatula head 26 withthe spatula head extension 28 is conducive to disposing the spatula 26and spatula head extension 28 within the handle 12.

[0029] An optional spatula hinge lock 27 (see FIG. 2) engages toreleasably fix the spatula head 26 in at least one of the first positionor the second position. The spatula lock 27 can be adapted to releasablyfix the spatula head 26 in both the first position and the secondposition, alternatingly. The spatula hinge lock 27 can comprise anysuitable lock means known to one of ordinary skill in the art thatallows for angled movement of the spatula head 26 with respect to thespatula head extension 28 as well as releasably fixing the spatula head26 in the first position and/or the second position.

[0030] In use, the compact cooking tool apparatus 10 can be arranged invarious configurations. For example, and with reference to FIG. 4, theapparatus 10 can be disposed in a partially closed position 52. Thespatula head extension 28 and fork head extension 38 are both extendedfrom the handle 12. The spatula head 26 is disposed in an expandedconfiguration. The body hinge 20 is preferably spring loaded such thatthe apparatus 10 can be used as a pair of tongs.

[0031] In another configuration, and with reference to FIG. 5, theapparatus 10 can be used as a spatula. In this configuration, theapparatus 10 is arranged in the open position 50. The fork headextension 38 (not shown) and fork head 36 (not shown) are disposed inthe handle 12. Conversely, the spatula head extension 28 is fullyextended from the handle 12 and the spatula head 26 is disposed in theexpanded position.

[0032] In another configuration, and with reference to FIG. 6, theapparatus 10 can be used as a fork. In this configuration, the apparatus10 is arranged in the open position 50. The spatula head extension 28 isdisposed in the handle 12. Similarly, the spatula head 26 itself isdisposed in the collapsed position and also disposed within the handle12. Conversely, the fork head extension 38 is extended from the handle12.

[0033] Referring next to FIG. 7, the fork head extension 38 and the forkhead 36 are disposed in the handle 12 for storage. The spatula head 26is disposed in the collapsed configuration and the disposed in thehandle 12 with the spatula head extension 28. The handle 12 is disposedin a closed position 53. An optional latch (not shown) can releasablyfix the apparatus in the closed position 53.

[0034] It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments ofthe present invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, aremerely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for aclear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variationsand modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) ofthe invention without department substantially from the spirit andprinciples of the invention. All such modifications and variations areintended to be included herein with the scope of this disclosure and thepresent invention and protected by the following claims.

Therefore, having thus described the invention, at least the followingis claimed:
 1. A compact cooking tool apparatus, comprising: a handlehaving a first end and a second end, said handle being movable betweenan open position and a closed position; a first cooking tool apparatusis adapted to extend from said first end of said handle; and a secondcooking tool apparatus is adapted to extend from said second end of saidhandle; wherein said first end of said handle opposes said second end ofsaid handle when said handle is engaged in said open position and saidfirst end of said handle is substantially adjacent said second end ofsaid handle when said handle is engaged in said closed position.
 2. Thecooking tool apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handle furthercomprises: a first handle portion terminating at said first end of saidhandle; a second handle portion terminating at said second end of saidhandle, said second handle portion being hingedly fixed to said firsthandle portion; and a hinge connection hingedly fixing said first handleportion to said second handle portion, said first handle portion andsaid second handle portion being movable about said hinge connectionthereby moving said handle between said open position and said closedposition.
 3. The cooking tool apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:a hinge lock disposed substantially adjacent said hinge connection, saidhinge lock being adapted to fix said handle in said open position. 4.The cooking tool apparatus of claim 2, wherein said open position ofsaid handle is defined by said first handle portion being substantiallylinearly opposing said second handle portion.
 5. The cooking toolapparatus of claim 2, wherein said closed position of said handle isdefined by said first handle portion being substantially adjacent saidsecond handle portion.
 6. The cooking tool apparatus of claim 1, whereinat least one of said first cooking tool and said second cooking toolcomprises a fork.
 7. The cooking tool apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidpartially closed position of said handle comprises a tong.
 8. Thecooking tool apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of said firstcooking tool and said second cooking tool comprises a spatula headdisposed on a spatula head extension.
 9. The cooking tool apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein said spatula head is adapted to be adjustable betweenan expanded configuration, wherein the width of said spatula head isgreater than the width of said spatula extension, and a collapsedconfiguration, wherein the width of said spatula head is substantiallysimilar to the width of said spatula extension.
 10. The cooking toolapparatus of claim 9, wherein said spatula head, being disposed in saidcollapsed configuration, and said spatula head extension are adapted tobe slidably disposed within said handle.
 11. The cooking tool apparatusof claim 1, wherein said first cooking tool is slidably engaged withsaid handle such that said first cooking tool is adapted to axiallyslide into said handle for storage.
 12. The cooking tool apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said second cooking tool is slidably engaged with saidhandle such that said second cooking tool is adapted to axially slideinto said handle for storage.
 13. A compact cooking tool apparatus,comprising: a handle having a first end and a second end, said handlebeing movable between an open position and a closed position; and acooking tool being movably fixed to said handle; wherein said handle isadapted to receive said cooking tool therein.
 14. The cooking toolapparatus of claim 13, wherein said handle further comprises: a firsthandle portion terminating at said first end of said handle; a secondhandle portion terminating at said second end of said handle, saidsecond handle portion being hingedly fixed to said first handle portion;and a hinge connection hingedly fixing said first handle portion to saidsecond handle portion, said first handle portion and said second handleportion being movable about said hinge connection thereby moving saidhandle between said open position and said closed position.
 15. Thecooking tool apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a second cookingtool being movably fixed to said handle and arranged opposing saidcooking tool; wherein said handle is adapted to receive said secondcooking tool therein.